How to generate CSS source maps in Compass, and reconnecting the source files in Chrome

Description

Collection: Front End DevelopmentChapter: How to Work With Responsive Layouts

Earlier in this series, we used Chrome to edit our SASS files directly, but that ability broke when we started using Compass to generate our CSS. In this video we configure our Compass project to generate CSS source maps, and reconnect our browser files back to the source so we can edit them directly in the browser.

Transcript

So the reason why we're not seeing a link between these classes and the SASS partials anymore is because when we switched over to using Compass, Compass is set by default not to generate a source map. So we need to adjust that. So back in our project folder we need to open up our config dot RB file.

This is a configuration for Compass and here underneath these parameters we can add source map equals true, and we can save it and go back to the command line where we have our Compass running and I'm going to stop this from running by typing command C or control C and then we'll just run Bundler exec Compass watch again. And here you can see that a map is being generated, and so now if we go back to our browser and refresh we'll see our snippet author thumb pointing to snippet dot SCSS, and we can click on this snippet dot SCSS to open it up but because we've changed the location of our website, that is now we're running it on a local server using the Node HTTP server tool, the mappings that we created earlier on in this serie ...

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Skill focus: Theming, Site BuildingSkill level: Beginner - Advanced

The world of front end development has come a long way in the last several years with the addition of responsive design, CSS preprocessors like SASS, and the ever widening range of devices and environments we use to navigate the web. At the same time, many of us are able to generate fully functioning web sites using CMS's like Drupal without ever touching HTML or CSS - the basic building blocks of the web. Because of that, many of us end up floundering when we need to make even minor adjustments to the markup or presentation of a project, since we don't have the experience needed to break down what our CMS is actually doing for us.

If you've found yourself either at a loss to make adjustments to HTML, CSS or JavaScript of a project, or are looking to upgrade outdated front-end skills, this collection is for you.

This collection walks through the process of converting a web page mockup into a fully functioning web page using CSS, HTML and JavaScript, as well as some of the most powerful and commonly used tools and techniques that layer on top of these three technologies.

Here are some of the key points we'll be covering:

How to use basic HTML tags and CSS properties

How to create semantic HTML

How to write more meaningful and sustainable CSS with SASS and SMACSS

How to create a responsive design with media queries

How to work with responsive images

How to improve collaboration and future-proof projects with package managers like Bower and Bundler

How to address accessibility concerns and use tools to audit the accessibility of your site

How to measure and improve front-end performance

How to use automation tools like Grunt

Who this collection is for

If you are seeking to learn modern front end development practices and tools in order to increase your value in the workplace or become more independent with your own projects, this collection was created with you in mind. Front end development is a highly sought-after skill set and is highly portable since it can be coupled with virtually any kind of back-end. Tools like Jekyll allow you to build content-rich sites without the need for a specific backend, and the focus in Drupal 8 on a 'headless Drupal' is allowing developers to leverage Drupal as a back end while still choosing the right tools to generate the HTML and CSS of the front end.

Prerequisites

We don't assume anything about your previous experience with HTML, CSS or JavaScript. We start from the very basics, but that doesn't stop us from exploring more advanced topics that are the staples for any modern front end developer. You should be able to come to the table with only the knowledge you've gained as a user of the web and still understand the steps we take and the rationale behind them.

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